Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Nature of Operations Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and children's), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company's operations include approximately 870 Macy's, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdales Outlet and Bluemercury stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. In addition, Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC. In August 2015, the Company established a joint venture, Macy's China Limited, of which the Company holds a sixty-five percent ownership interest and Hong Kong-based Fung Retailing Limited holds the remaining thirty-five percent ownership interest. Macy's China Limited sells merchandise in China through an e-commerce presence on Alibaba Group's Tmall Global. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Macy's, Inc. and its 100%-owned subsidiaries and the newly established majority-owned subsidiary, Macy's China Limited. The noncontrolling interest represents the Fung Retailing Limited's thirty-five percent proportionate share of the results of Macy's China Limited. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 (the "2015 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2015 10-K. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts. The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company. Seasonality Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year. Reclassifications Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ amounts to conform with the classifications of such amounts for the most recent fiscal period. Comprehensive Income Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. The settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 4, "Benefit Plans," for further information.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Nature of Operations

Macy's, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") is an omnichannel retail organization operating stores, websites and mobile applications under three brands (Macy's, Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury) that sell a wide range of merchandise, including apparel and accessories (men's, women's and children's), cosmetics, home furnishings and other consumer goods. The Company's operations include approximately 870 Macy's, Macy's Backstage, Bloomingdale's, Bloomingdales Outlet and Bluemercury stores in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Guam and Puerto Rico, as well as macys.com, bloomingdales.com and bluemercury.com. In addition, Bloomingdale's in Dubai, United Arab Emirates is operated under a license agreement with Al Tayer Insignia, a company of Al Tayer Group, LLC.

In August 2015, the Company established a joint venture, Macy's China Limited, of which the Company holds a sixty-five percent ownership interest and Hong Kong-based Fung Retailing Limited holds the remaining thirty-five percent ownership interest. Macy's China Limited sells merchandise in China through an e-commerce presence on Alibaba Group's Tmall Global. The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Macy's, Inc. and its 100%-owned subsidiaries and the newly established majority-owned subsidiary, Macy's China Limited. The noncontrolling interest represents the Fung Retailing Limited's thirty-five percent proportionate share of the results of Macy's China Limited. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

A description of the Company's significant accounting policies is included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 (the "2015 10-K"). The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto in the 2015 10-K.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates and assumptions are subject to inherent uncertainties, which may result in actual amounts differing from reported amounts.

The Consolidated Financial Statements for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position and results of operations of the Company.

Seasonality

Because of the seasonal nature of the retail business, the results of operations for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015 (which do not include the Christmas season) are not necessarily indicative of such results for the full fiscal year.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications were made to prior years’ amounts to conform with the classifications of such amounts for the most recent fiscal period.

Comprehensive Income

Total comprehensive income represents the change in equity during a period from sources other than transactions with shareholders and, as such, includes net income. For the Company, the only other components of total comprehensive income for the 13 weeks ended April 30, 2016 and May 2, 2015 relate to post employment and postretirement plan items. The settlement charges incurred are included as a separate component of operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The amortization reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive loss are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (income) and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 4, "Benefit Plans," for further information.